Kenyan music fans were stunned when award-winning R&B star Nikita Kering shared the stage with Gengetone pioneer Swat.
Together they gave an unexpected rendition of Lamba Lolo, the 2018 street hit, at the Peaches and Cream concert.
From dancehall to Lamba Lolo
Nikita took the stage at Ngong Racecourse dressed in all black. She performed a high-energy dance set alongside her crew, moving in sync to Beenie Man's "King of the Dancehall."
The DJ then transitioned into Lamba Lolo, Ethic Entertainment's iconic track.
The staged call
A staged phone call played across the venue's massive screens. Swat appeared on them, mock-calling to say he would not be left behind.
He then joined Nikita on stage. The crowd went into a frenzy, and revellers sang along word for word.
"A little time travel ✨" – Nikita Kering, on X.
Two very different lanes
Nikita is a 24-year-old Nairobi singer working in R&B, Afro-pop and pop. She released her debut single, Happy With You, in 2018. She has won AFRIMMA awards, including Best Female Artist in East Africa.
Swat, whose real name is Boniface Mwangi, is a former member of Ethic Entertainment. The Eastlands group rose to fame in 2018 with Lamba Lolo. He has since built a solo profile, including the seven-track Silalishi EP.
Nikita has crossed genres before. She reworked her hit Ex with Khaligraph Jones for Coke Studio.
Seeing a pristine vocal powerhouse embrace a raw Gengetone classic showcased rare crossover chemistry that resonated strongly with attendees and online viewers alike.
What it added up to
The song is about eight years old. The crowd still knew every word.
A phone call, a throwback and a full racecourse singing together. It lasted only a few minutes, but Nikita Kering and Swat Mtoto wa Eunice gave Peaches and Cream its most talked-about moment.
The moment linked two distinctly different corners of contemporary Kenyan music. Nikita's caption said little, but it fitted what happened.
